Electrical switch



May 9, 1939. M. L. GOODWIN ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed April 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Attorneys y 1939- M. L. GOODWIN 2,157,535

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed April 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor M. L Goodwin Atiorngys Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL SWITCH Application April 1, 1937, Serial No. 134,380

2 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in automobile electrical systems and more particularly to novel means whereby the headlights and tail-lights of an automobile 5 may be made to blink to indicate that the driver intends to make a right or a left turn.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a blinking means for the usual light system of an automobile whereby the headlights and tail-light can be discretionarily blinked as a signal and wherein the means for accomplishing this function is simple and easily installed and capable of being put out of service without interfering with the lighting system.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of the lighting system and the switch.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the switch with the cover removed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional View with the cover applied.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure 1, that numerals 5-6 represent the usual headlights and numerals 1-8 the usual taillights. Numeral 9 denotes the usual battery from which the lead l extends and in which the light switch I I is installed.

Numeral I2 denotes the novel switch construction for controlling the light dimmer and this consists of the case I3 of dielectric material having a removable top 14. The side wall of this case I3 is provided with a circumferentially disposed slot therein through which the arm I 40 projects, the arm being swingably secured as at Hi to the central portion of the case 13 .and having the finger l1 projecting therefrom and carrying the contact blade I8 capable of bridging the contacts 19-20 secured to the inside of the side wall of the case l3.

The outer end of the arm I5 is provided with a handle 2|.

The case I3 is provided with a pair of diverged protuberances 22-23 each provided with a pocket 24 therein for receiving a contact coil unit 25 of conventional design. This unit is of the type which heats up to make contact and breaks contact upon cooling ofi. This action is rapid and causes a rapid intermittent fiow of current. The contact strip 26 has a pair of contact flanges 21 thereon, this strip 26 being disposed in the pocket 24 for forming an arcuate contact member 28. A contact strip 29 has a backwardly bent arcuate contact extension 30 opposed to the arcuate contact 28 and between these contacts 28-30 the unit 25 can be inserted. The contact 29 has a binding post 3| from which the conductor 32 extends to the corresponding headlight 5 or 6 and its corresponding taillight I or 8. Obviously when the contact blade 18 is engaged with either of the contacts 21-21 current will be supplied to either the left or right headlight and its corresponding tail-light 1 or 8. The contacts l9-20 are connected by the jumpers 33 to the binding posts 3! so that when the blade 18 is bridging both of the contacts 19-20, both of the headlights and taillights will burn steadily without blinking.

As is clearly shown there are a pair of contact members 34-34 mounted upon the bottom of the case [3 and from these extend the wires 35 to the binding posts 3|. Obviously as the blade I8 is engaging one of the contacts 2''! the arm I 5 is engaging one of the contacts 34, so that while current is passing from the arm 15 and contact 26 to one headlight by Way of a blinker 25, current is supplied to the other headlight clear of its blinker unit 25.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

l. A switch of the class described comprising, a casing, a pair of terminal posts carried by the casing, a switch arm pivotally mounted in the casing intermediate the ends of the arm with one end part of the arm projecting from the easing, a first pair of contacts in the casing and one connected with one post and the other with the opposite post, a second pair of contacts in the casing and one located adjacent but spaced from one of the first mentioned contacts and the other located adjacent but spaced from the other contact of the first-mentioned pairs, a pair of temperature actuated units located in the spaces between the first and second pairs of contacts, a third pair of contacts in the casing bridged by the inner end of the arm when the arm is in a certain position, means for electrically connecting one of the third pair of contacts with one post, means for electrically connecting the other contact of the third pair with the other post, said arm when in a second position engaging one of the second pair of contacts and when in a third. position engaging the other contact of said second pair, a fourth pair of contacts in the casing, each of which is arranged opposite a contact of the second pair, whereby when the arm is engaging a contact of the second pair another part of the arm will be engaging a contact of the fourth pair, means for electrically connecting one contact of the fourth pair to one post, means for electrically connecting the other contact of the fourth pair to the other post, and means for electrically connecting the arm to a source of current.

2. A switch of the class described comprising a casing of non-conductive material having a pair of pockets therein, a terminal post extending from each pocket, a contact in each pocket and connected with the post of said pocket, a second contact in each pocket, the two contacts in each pocket having resilient portions spaced apart, a temperature actuated unit in each pocket and located in the space formed by said resilient parts, a third pair of contacts in the casing, means for electrically connecting one of the third contacts with one post, means for electrically connecting the other contact of the third pair with the other post, a fourth pair of contacts in the casing, means for electrically connecting one contact of the fourth pair with one post, means for electrically connecting the other contact of the fourth pair with the other post, an arm pivoted intermediate its ends in the casing and having a handle part extending from the casing, said arm in one position bridg ing the contacts of the third pair to provide an uninterrupted flow of current to the posts and said arm when in another position bridging one of the contacts of the second pair and a contact of the fourth pair and when in a third position bridging the other contacts of the second and fourth pairs and means for electrically connecting the arm to a source of current.

MALCOLM L. GOODWIN. 

